The Edmonton Oilers are in a must-win situation as they prepare for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. After dropping the first three games of the series, the Oilers find themselves on the brink of elimination, but the mood in the locker room remains determined. Two key players, Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry, spoke to the media following a high-intensity practice day, sharing their thoughts on the team’s mindset, adjustments, and what it will take to extend the series.
Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers’ superstar center and one of the most dominant offensive forces in the NHL, didn’t shy away from acknowledging the difficult position his team is in. “It’s not the spot we wanted to be in, but we’re not giving up,” Draisaitl said. “We know what we’re capable of, and we believe in this group. It starts with one win, and then we go from there.” His tone was serious but resolute, reflecting the urgency the Oilers face heading into Thursday’s game.
Draisaitl, who has been a consistent playoff performer throughout his career, was candid about the challenges the Panthers have presented. “They’re a very structured team, they don’t give you much, and they capitalize on mistakes,” he said. “We have to be smarter with the puck, more disciplined in our play, and find ways to generate more quality chances.” Despite being held off the scoresheet in two of the first three games, Draisaitl emphasized that personal stats don’t matter at this stage—winning does. “I don’t care about points right now. I care about doing whatever it takes to help this team win a game.”
Corey Perry, the veteran winger with a wealth of playoff experience, including multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances, brought a calm yet fiery perspective to the media scrum. Known for his ability to agitate opponents and come up with clutch plays, Perry’s presence in the locker room has been invaluable for the Oilers throughout their playoff run. “This isn’t over,” Perry stated firmly. “I’ve been in tough spots before, and the only thing that matters is the next game. We win one, and then we see what happens.”
Perry’s experience in high-pressure situations was evident as he spoke about the mental approach needed in a series like this. “You can’t think about the big picture right now. You have to focus on the next shift, the next period, the next game. We have to play desperate, but we also have to play smart.” His message was clear: the Oilers aren’t going down without a fight.
One of the key topics addressed by both players was the need for better starts. The Oilers have struggled early in games during this series, often finding themselves playing from behind. “We have to set the tone early,” Draisaitl emphasized. “We can’t let them dictate the pace. We have to come out with energy, establish our forecheck, and play our game.” Perry echoed this sentiment, adding, “Playoff hockey is about momentum. If we can grab it early and sustain it, we’ll give ourselves a much better chance.”
Another area of focus was the Oilers’ power play, which has been uncharacteristically quiet in the Final. Edmonton boasts one of the most dangerous man-advantage units in the league, featuring Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Evan Bouchard, but the Panthers’ penalty kill has effectively neutralized them so far. “We have to execute better,” Draisaitl admitted. “They’re doing a good job pressuring us, but we have to find ways to break through. It might take a greasy goal, a lucky bounce, but we need something to get us going.”
Perry, who has made a career out of scoring gritty goals in big moments, stressed the importance of simplicity. “Sometimes you just have to put pucks on net, create chaos, and find a way. It’s not always going to be pretty, especially this time of year.”
Defensively, the Oilers know they must limit the Panthers’ opportunities. Florida’s depth scoring, particularly from their bottom-six forwards, has been a difference-maker in the series. “We have to be tighter in our own end,” Draisaitl said. “That means better gaps, stronger stick play, and making sure we’re not giving them free chances.” Perry added that goaltender Stuart Skinner, who has faced criticism at times during the playoffs, has the full support of the team. “Stu has been great for us all playoffs. We have to do a better job in front of him, limit the high-danger chances, and help him out.”
The leadership within the Oilers’ locker room will be crucial in rallying the team for what could be their final game of the season. Both Draisaitl and Perry acknowledged the importance of staying positive and united. “No one in here is pointing fingers,” Draisaitl said. “We win as a team, we lose as a team. Right now, we’re just focused on getting one win and bringing this back to Edmonton.”
Perry, who has played in Stanley Cup Finals with multiple teams, knows how quickly momentum can shift. “I’ve seen crazy things happen in playoffs. You never know what can change with one win. We just have to go out there and leave it all on the ice.”
As the Oilers wrapped up their practice, the intensity was palpable. Players stayed late to work on extra drills, and the coaching staff meticulously reviewed game tape, looking for any edge they could find. Head coach Kris Knoblauch’s message to the team has been straightforward: play with pride, play with purpose, and control what you can control.
For Draisaitl, Perry, and the rest of the Oilers, the mission is simple—win Game 4 and force a Game 5 back in Edmonton. The odds are against them, but as history has shown, no lead is truly safe in the Stanley Cup Playoffs until the final buzzer sounds.
The hockey world will be watching closely on Thursday night to see if the Oilers can stave off elimination and keep their championship hopes alive. If they do, it will be because their stars stepped up, their veterans led the way, and the entire team played with the desperation and determination required to keep the dream alive.
One thing is certain: Leon Draisaitl, Corey Perry, and the Edmonton Oilers aren’t ready to say goodbye just yet.
